Hazel Marie Tatom, 83, of the Pine Ridge Community, died Tuesday, April 24, 2012, at her residence surrounded by her loving family.  She was born June 4, 1928, in Pineland, Texas to Wilda Ann (Jutzi) and Jesse Austin Foster. She graduated from Pineland High School in 1945 with top honors.

She met Lee Roy Tatom, the love of her life, and was married on February 26, 1946. Shortly after they wed, they moved to the Pine Ridge Community where they became lifetime members of Pine Ridge Baptist Church. Hazel cherished her church and loved her Sunday school class, and early on, she was active as a girl’s auxiliary teacher and WMU member.

Our mother was a wonderful homemaker and we were blessed by her unconditional love.  She was raised with a solid Christian foundation and passed those principles to her children.  She taught us how to live our lives with patience, fortitude, and led by example.  Her father was a Pentecostal preacher and she learned at an early age the importance of living by God’s word.  We will cherish our loving memories and keep her in our hearts forever. 

Survivors include her children, Jerry Tatom and his wife, Cyndi of Sour Lake, Linda Beggs and her husband, Bill of Pine Ridge, Roy Leonard Tatom of Sour Lake, Laura Pirtle and her husband, Mike of Pine Ridge, and Rhonda Modzelewski of Pine Ridge; six grandchildren; ten great-grandchildren; brother, Bob Foster and his wife, Carolyn of Hockley; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Jesse and Wilda Foster; husband, Lee Roy Tatom; sisters, Gladys Farrar and Doris Dilts; and brothers, Billy, David, Jesse, Jr., J.B., and Malcolm Foster.

A gathering of her family and friends will be from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., Friday, April 27, 2012, at Pine Ridge Baptist Church, 13430 FM 421, in the Pine Ridge Community.  Her funeral service will be 10:00 a.m. Saturday, April 28, 2012, at the church, under the direction of Broussard’s in Kountze.  Her graveside service will follow at 2:30 p.m. at Plainview Cemetery in Pineland, Texas.

Memorial contributions may be made in Hazel’s memory to Pine Ridge Baptist Church, P.O. Box 568, Sour Lake, Texas  77659.

The family wishes to extend a special thanks to Paul D. Wesolow, M.D. of Sour Lake, Texas Total Care of Vidor, Altus Hospice of Beaumont, Judy Kadlecek, and Mariah Colbert for their loving care and support of our mother.